Foreign words are terms or phrases adopted from other languages into English, often retaining original spelling or accents, that add nuance, precision, or cultural flavour to communication.

Following are few important foreign words that we come across in our day-to-day lives, with which students must be well-versed with:

  1. Judicature – Administration of justice by courts

Sentence: The judicature ensures fair justice for all citizens.

  1. Addendum – Something added to a document or book

Sentence: The report included an addendum with extra information.

  1. Ad Initium – At the beginning

Sentence: The teacher asked us to start the essay ad initium.

  1. En Route – On the way

Sentence: We stopped for lunch en route to Shimla.

  1. Joie-de-Vivre – Joyful enjoyment of life

Sentence: She lives with great joie-de-vivre.

  1. Sans – Without

Sentence: He drinks coffee sans sugar.

  1. Post Script – Extra note added at the end of a letter

Sentence: She wrote a post script at the end of her letter.

  1. A Deux – Involving two people

Sentence: They worked a deux on the project.

  1. Petite – Small and slim in size

Sentence: She is a petite girl.

  1. En Masse – In large groups

Sentence: The students left en masse after the bell rang.

  1. Monsieur – French title equivalent to Mr.

Sentence: Monsieur Dubois is our French teacher.

  1. Jus soli – Citizenship by place of birth

Sentence: The country follows jus soli for citizenship.

  1. Haute Couture – High-fashion clothing

Sentence: She wore a haute couture dress.

  1. Ad Fin – Till the end

Sentence: They worked ad fin to complete the task.

  1. Ad Extremum – Finally / at the end

Sentence: He succeeded ad extremum.

  1. Virtuoso – Highly skilled person

Sentence: He is a piano virtuoso.

  1. Vis-à-vis – In relation to / compared with

Sentence: We discussed the plan vis-à-vis the budget.

  1. Synopsis – Short summary

Sentence: She wrote a synopsis of the story.

  1. Milieu – Environment or surroundings

Sentence: He grew up in a rural milieu.

  1. Summum Bonum – Highest good

Sentence: Peace is the summum bonum of life.

  1. Suo Jure – In one’s own right

Sentence: She became queen suo jure.

  1. Bonjour – Hello / Good day

Sentence: He greeted everyone with “Bonjour”.

  1. Suo Loco – In one’s rightful place

Sentence: He was finally restored to his suo loco.

  1. Ad Absurdum – To the point of absurdity

Sentence: The argument was taken ad absurdum.

  1. Ad Infinitum – Without end

Sentence: The discussion continued ad infinitum.

  1. Post Meridian – After noon

Sentence: The meeting is at 3 PM post meridian.

  1. Ante Meridian – Before noon

Sentence: I study in the ante meridian hours.

  1. Plaza – Public square

Sentence: We met at the city plaza.

  1. Bonafide – Genuine / in good faith

Sentence: He submitted a bonafide certificate.

  1. Malafide – With bad intention

Sentence: The deal was cancelled due to malafide intent.

  1. Defacto – In fact / actual

Sentence: He is the defacto leader of the group.

  1. De Jure – By law / officially

Sentence: She is the de jure owner of the property.

  1. Ad Initium (against will) – Forced or unwilling

Sentence: He signed the paper ad initium.

  1. Ultra Vires – Beyond legal power

Sentence: The act was ultra vires.

  1. Intra Vires – Within legal power

Sentence: The decision was intra vires.

  1. Suo Moto – On its own initiative

Sentence: The court took suo moto action.

  1. Prima Facie – At first appearance

Sentence: There is a prima facie case against him.